Playing It Safe

“If you don’t fail now and again, it’s a sign you’re playing it safe.” - Woody Allen

I have played it safe all of my life. At least I thought I did. I would never jump before I was sure it was secured. I would plan and research and make sure everything would work out accordingly. I would look at something scary and pass on it. I always believed taking a risk involved something unpredictable and scary and hoping for the best. But there is more to it than that.

For example I am a supporter. That is the story I told myself for years. I am an amazing helper and will do everything to help push people to their ultimate. I went for secretary at the African American Cultural Society at college because I wanted to support my best friend who was president. Not to boast but I was a phenomenal secretary that kept everything in order and was on top of members and even made sure we celebrated their birthdays and helped with any issue. No matter what time of day he called, I answered.

I was a fabulous Team Leader for my manager at my retail job. When called I jumped. At church I was a Sunday school assistant who helped the teachers with the kids. I embraced this role and there is nothing wrong with embracing a role that you are truly good at. However, God had a plan for me that involved breaking out of this role. A plan that involved me leaving my bubble and I started to become resistant to it. It started with small things. Becoming President of the club my least year of college was very unnerving to me because that was not my plan. It was not safe. I had to make final decisions and lead? That felt very uncomfortable to my story. Becoming a lead teacher in Sunday school was scary. Yes that too! Now don’t judge me. Staying under the radar was my thing.

My wanting to play it safe was leaving me not wanting to move forward but remain comfortable. You can’t take comfortable risks. There are no such thing. I fooled myself into believing they were. Many years have passed and I still find myself making up excuses and resisting leadership roles.

But what if I let go of the side rail of the pool and just for once started to push into water and see what happens. 

Recently, God placed a desire in my heart to start a small group. Sadly instead I then spent months looking for other small groups to join. I did it in hopes of supporting them and being there for them. However delayed obedience is disobedience. He has a plan and just as God wants to use me He wants to use you too! Is there anything that has beeen nagging at you but you are not sure if you are supposed to take that step forward. Maybe like me you feel it doesn’t sound like you or is most likely to fail because you will have no clue what you’re doing. How about we take that journey together to discover how leaving our safe bubble takes us to our purpose. 

God knows us better than we could ever know ourselves. When God told Moses to go save his people Moses had several doubts and wanted to stay in his safe place. But look at everything He was able to accomplish once He agreed to step out. Like the old song says, ‘Trust and obey, for there’s no other way…’

I have decided to take that step, leap and jump. To be used by God is a journey on its own. One that you will not regret. I will keep you posted on how my journey is going but would love it if you share yours with me as well. Here’s to no longer playing it safe!